St. George is famous for being a bike-friendly community. While there are countless off-road trails in the surrounding areas for skilled mountain biking, there’s also paved, mild-grade trails all throughout St. George for all skill levels. Keep in mind that these are all multi-use trails, meaning that you’ll likely run into non-bikers on the trail.

Virgin River Parkway

This 7 mile long trail begins at East Riverside Drive and ends at the Man o’ War Trailhead in Bloomington. An easy trail for all skill levels and ages, you can make the trip as short or long as you prefer. The trail provides little shade through the length of it, so come prepared with sunblock, hats, and plenty of water. For the best times to ride it, try it in the spring or fall, or ride it in the mornings during the summer. The trail becomes the City of Washington Mill Creek Trail after the 0.7 bike lane section on East Riverside Drive. This well-maintained paved path provides an excellent view of the Virgin River, trailing alongside the river with views of St. George and the Bloomington Country Club golf course.

Snow Canyon Loop

The Snow Canyon Loop is 18 miles round trip, stretching from the urban edges of Bluff Street to the deep red valleys of Snow Canyon. This easy-to-traverse trail is ideal for any length you want to make it, although there are steep grades throughout the trail that inexperienced bikers may have to walk. If you’re looking for a secluded, quiet trail with Southern Utah’s red trademark beauty, the Snow Canyon Loop is as close as it gets. Restrooms and drinks are available at the Snow Canyon campground. You’ll also be sharing this trail with other bikers, hikers, rollerbladers, and joggers, although this trail never feels crowded.

Sand Hollow Wash

This trail begins at the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center off of Sunset Drive and ends at Lava Flow Drive. This is a short trail just shy of a mile, stretching 0.9 miles in length (one way). This trail runs north to south, past Snow Canyon High School and the Dixie Downs area. Gentle slopes make up the length of it, so this is a great trail to take beginners and young children on. If you’re looking for an easy trail to exercise on frequently without the hassle of driving too far outside of town, this is a great day-to-day trail if you live in the area.

Halfway Wash Trail

The Halfway Wash Trail is a connecting trail to the Snow Canyon Loop, right at Snow Canyon Parkway. 1.9 miles long, this trail sits at the northern end of St. George and has stunning views of the red cliffs and the desert landscape. This is a shady trail that winds through parks and across bridges, providing an easy to moderate trail for all skill levels. Other trails that connect to Halfway Wash include Chuckwalla Trail, Paradise Rim Trail, and Turtle Wall trail, all easily accessed within the area. However, these adjacent trails are not all paved. Expect good surface conditions for this trail. There is an alternate trailhead for Halfway Wash east of the shopping center at Sunset and Dixie.

Fort Pierce Wash Trail

Crossing with the Virgin River Parkway trail, this short, easy trail is 0.7 miles in length with great views at the top. This trail meets with the east end of the Webb Hill Trail, and at the Larkspur trailhead, meets with the Bloomington Hills North Trail. This is the steepest part of the trail with an 8% grade. This trail is good for families with young children and is wheelchair accessible.

Map of All St. George Trails via sgcity.com

https://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.png00alohahttps://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.pngaloha2018-02-19 22:34:342018-03-01 22:52:46Paved Biking Trails in St. George

While the Delicate Arch has become Utah’s logo, in a sense – marking our license plates, billboards, keychains, calendars, and more – there are many astounding arches across Utah that aren’t as well-known but worth visiting. While many of these are in Arches National Park, they’re all worth putting on your bucket list for places to visit in Utah. Here’s a list of 10 stunning natural arches and bridge in Utah, including Delicate Arch – because what list of arches in Utah would be complete without Delicate Arch?

Also located in Arches National Park, these two sandstone arches are interesting because they share the same base and arc towards different directions, meeting with the massive red cliff face. The half mile round-trip hike is easy for all skill levels and ages, complete with beautiful wildflowers that are native to Utah. No matter what other hikes you’re doing in Arches, considering the length of this trail, it’s a must to visit these arches.

A familiar sight to those who travel to Lake Powell frequently, Rainbow Bridge National Monument is about as smooth and flawless as natural arches come. This rounded feat of nature is 290 feet tall and 270 feet across – as long as a football field. The bridge is considered sacred to the Navajo Nation, a representation of deities creating life in the desert, so it’s important to treat the area with respect when visiting.

This castle-like arch located in Bryce Canyon is a magnificent contrast to the towering pines and red hoodoos that populate the rest of the terrain. Good news for those who don’t like to hike – this arch requires no hiking whatsoever. It can be seen from the road to Rainbow Point, and there’s a parking lot for those who want to stop to get a better look.

This massive arch located just west of Moab leans against the cliffside, overlooking the red desert wasteland that continues to the edge of the horizon. This is an easy, well-marked trail about 3 miles round-trip across slickrock. This is a great hike for kids, and what makes it even better, this is a two-in-one hike – Bowtie Arch is right around the corner, nestled into the mountainside.

One of Utah’s most photographed spots for good reason. This low-curving arch is at the edge of a tall mesa, overlooking a stunning desert landscape. The arch is in Canyonlands National Park and is an easy hike at .7 miles roundtrip. For avid landscape photographers, this is one of Utah’s most accessible arches waiting to be apart of your next photography road trip.

Want to see the largest natural arch in the Americas? Landscape Arch is what you’re looking for. Located in Arches National Park, this spindly, fragile-looking arch is a whopping 290 ft in span. The arch can be found at the end of the Devil’s Garden Trail, which is an easy, 1.5 mile round trip hike that winds through a Mars-like landscape in Arches.

Only three feet shy of Landscape Arch’s length of 290 feet, Kolob Arch has a span of 287 feet in Zion National Park. In fact, for a long time, it was considered the world’s longest arch due to different measuring methods. While this is a stunning hike that doesn’t experience frequent travelers, it comes at a cost in length, stretching to a 14 mile round-trip hike. This is why it’s commonly traversed as a multiple-day backpacking trip, as the average time to hike this is about 12 hours.

Named from a Hopi term for “opening between worlds”, this arch is 268 ft in length in span and 220 ft in height. This massive arch is located in National Bridges National Monument in southwestern Utah. Two other natural bridges are present at this monument, named Kachina and Owachomo, although Sipapu is the largest. The moderately-difficult hiking trail to get to Sipapu is 1.2 miles roundtrip and features ladders, switchbacks, and steep inclines on switchback.

This twisting, chromosome-like arch is located in Capitol Reef National Park. The moderately-difficult hiking trail for this arch is 1.8 miles roundtrip and features stunning canyon views at the arch, perfect for pictures overlooking the desert landscape.

The golden child of the arches in Utah that we all know and love, and for good reason. It stands out starkly against the rest of the rolling terrain, making it one of the most distinguishable arches on earth. The 3 mile round-trip hike is in Arches National Park, ranked as a moderately difficult hike with some rugged spots of steep inclines/declines.

One of Utah’s trademarks is the Sundance Film Festival, an annual independent film festival that takes place in Park City and Salt Lake City and garnered over 70,000 attendees last year – many of which include high profile actors, directors, and producers. With the Institute founded in 1981, Sundance was founded as a low-budget festival to give attention to independent filmmakers, and will now be approaching its 40th year in operation. The festival was also designed to bring filmmaking to Utah, which is has successfully done.

By 1988, the festival was screening almost 100 films. Once the festival started gaining momentum and popularity, it had to be selective on the films it was able to showcase. In the early 2000s, the festival was getting thousands of film submissions, with roughly 200 slots available. In 2017, the festival received over 13,000 submissions, and screened 181 one of those.

Robert Redford, the founder of the Sundance Film Festival, is a familiar name to fans of classic western films. He starred alongside Paul Newman in the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, naming the festival after his own character in the film – the Sundance Kid. This film launched Redford into stardom because of its overwhelming success. Redford, with the help of Sterling Van Wagenen, Cirina Hampton Catania, and John Earle, started the legacy known as the Sundance Film Festival on the towering slopes of the Wasatch front.

The festival is now a way for indie films to become successful box-office hits, and for some, that’s exactly what they fear. With the wildfire-like popularity and success of the film festival, for the past ten years, Redford, voiced his opinion that he feared with the festival’s mainstream presence, it has been losing the element that made it special for so long. Festival organizers have since been attempting to curb activities, like luxury lounges and other aspects of the festival that drew in big celebrities and hoards of paparazzi, drawing away from the main importance of the film festival – celebrating indie filmmaking as an art.

This influx of popularity isn’t slowing down, either. From 2016 to 2017, attendance jumped from 46,660, to 71,600. Staff numbers keep growing, and the festival now as offices in Park City, New York City, and Los Angeles to be able to reach filmmakers all across the U.S. The festival also is an funnel for $3.28 million in grants to reach the artists that contribute to Sundance, and provides public workshops from experts to inform and educate artists and filmmakers on many topics involving the short filmmaking industry. It has given rise to many influential filmmakers, such as Quentin Tarantino, and films such as The Blair Witch Project, Napoleon Dynamite, Little Miss Sunshine, and Supersize Me.

The 2018 Sundance Film Festival will be taking place from January 18-28 this year, and will take place across Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance. This year’s lineup of films can be found at Sundance’s website here. Tickets to the event can be found here.

With Zion National Park’s tourism industry fueling a huge portion of Southern Utah’s economy, in past years, it’s not uncommon see promotions encouraging people to visit Zion and other national parks in Southern Utah. However, visitation is a growing concern, and it looks like marketing campaigns were successful. The popularity of Zion National Park has been growing at a steady rate, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down – even with the centennial celebration of the parks in 2016, which was designed to draw more people to the parks, visitation numbers keep climbing.

But why is this an issue? If Zion National Park is doing so well to bring in travelers from all over the world to see its colorful sandstone slopes, and in turn bringing more business through St. George, Springdale, and surrounding areas, it’s helping the tourism industry in Southern Utah thrive. As good as it is for monetary reasons to local businesses, it’s hurting the landscape of Zion National Park. As great of an opportunity as it is for so many people to be able to experience the beauty and history of Zion at an affordable price, there are concerns for the preservation of the landscape. Extra visitation means extra wear and tear on the trails and the fragile ecosystem in the park. Trails and even off-trail areas where hikers are discouraged to go are being worn down at a faster rate. This could have a negative impact on the wildlife in the area, as well as the plants, rocks, streams, and other natural features that make up the park.

High visitation also makes it a more unpleasant experience to visitors. Going to the park and dealing with long lines for entry or packed trails eliminates the authenticity of the experience. And while Zion is the park experiencing huge visitation numbers, it’s not the only one. Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef are also welcoming visitors by the millions every year. While Zion had 4.4 million visitors in 2017 (excluding December), and in 2016, Bryce had 2.5 million visitors, and Capitol Reef 1.1 million.

A few ideas are being considered to help throttle the visitation numbers in Zion National Park that would affect other national parks in Utah as well. One would be to increase the cost to get into the park to $70 per car during the peak season, where it’s now $25-30 per car to enter the park. Higher costs would certainly decrease visitation and discourage some from going, but Congresswoman Mia Love voiced an important concern – average to low-income families in Utah wouldn’t get to experience Zion because of the increase in prices.

Another idea the park has been considering would be to set up a reservation system to go to Zion National Park, which would help decrease visitation without hiking up the costs of entering the park. This would be the first national park to do so. The number of reservations would vary by season. However, this is also inconvenient to people traveling a long way to see Zion and stretching other plans to accommodate for specific reservation dates in Zion. While it’s unsure what will happen, it will take a couple years to implement the change they see fit to control park visitation.

https://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.png00alohahttps://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.pngaloha2018-01-01 00:53:132018-01-01 00:55:28Zion National Park - When Visitation Numbers Become a Concern

For avid hikers who can handle the cold, it’s a definite yes. The beauty of Zion National Park during the winter makes it almost a different park than you see during the warm months of the year, when visitors flood the park to enjoy the beauty and warmth of southern Utah. This lightly frosted landscape in the winter has a sense of untouched beauty to it, when park visitation numbers go down, and fewer people trek the sloping trails of Zion – especially after Christmas, from January-March.

For those who are less inclined to thrive in the cold, hold off on Zion until the spring, or keep your eye on the warmer days of winter and go during that time. While Southern Utah does flaunt mild, short winters, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get cold in Zion – this desert landscape still braces itself against cold temperatures during the late fall through early spring. The weather and temperatures fluctuate in the winter, so check the weather before your trip so you can pack and dress accordingly.

Be wary of ice

When visiting Zion during the winter, the most important part is to be wary of ice on the trails. While most trails are open year-round, they can be icy and slick once the sun melts the snow. It’s important to check the Zion Canyon Visitors Center beforehand to get an update on these trails, especially for trails like Angels Landing, Weeping Rock, Riverside Walk, Observation Point, and Emerald Pools, that experience sun and moisture and can lead to dangerous hiking conditions.

Get the right gear to stay dry

With proper gear, camping overnight in the park is feasible as well – even in a tent during the winter months. It’s important to use waterproof gear designed for zero-temp weather to accommodate for the cold, staying warm and dry even during the coldest nights of the year.

Be aware of road closures

The Zion and Springdale shuttle system is not in operation during the winter season, so private vehicles can drive through Zion Canyon using the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Keep your eye on the Current Conditions Page to check for any roads that are closed due to bad weather. Although Zion roads and the roads leading to Zion are open year round, like Kolob Terrace Road, Kolob Canyons Road, and Mt. Carmel Highway, these roads all experience frequent closures due to snow and other hazardous conditions during the winter, so it’s important to check this beforehand and plan your route accordingly.

https://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.png00alohahttps://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.pngaloha2017-12-04 23:28:562017-12-04 23:28:56Zion in the Winter

The holidays are here, and St. George is celebrating the Christmas spirit with events occurring all throughout December. With the Jubilee of Trees and Santa’s Workshop Christmas Gift Show at the Dixie Convention Center already done, mark your calendars for events to bring the entire family to before Christmas.

Christmas in the Canyon

This year, Tuacahn is celebrating the holidays in multiple ways. Christmas in the Canyon, running from November 24-December 23, where Tuacahn’s campus is decorated in Christmas lights and music on the plaza. Hot chocolate and other concessions are available as you walk around and look at the Christmas lights, along with an open fire. Gifts for the holidays are also available. A live nativity runs from 7-8 p.m. for $2 a person, where acting, music, and narration combine thanks to volunteer groups that put on the story of the birth of Christ. The nativity also includes live animals, such as camels, in this performance. An ice-skating rink surrounded by the beautiful red cliffs of Tuacahn is open to the public for $7 a person ($5 per person for a group) from 5-9 p.m. Santa Claus is available from 6-8 p.m. on these nights, as well as a holiday train ride on the Old Salty Train, thanks to Ruby’s Inn. For more info, visit tuacahn.org.

Fairy Tale Christmas

Also at Tuacahn this year is Fairy Tale Christmas, a musical by Scott & Michael McLean based on their award-winning book. This musical was performed at the 2016 New York Fringe Festival, and is now coming to Tuacahn’s stage, telling the creative tale of classic villains from fairy tales attempting to kidnap Santa Claus. This musical runs from December 1-23. For seating and other information, visit tuacahn.org.

‘A Christmas Story’ The Musical

The St. George Musical Theater at the St. George Opera House will be putting a creative twist on the classic holiday film, A Christmas Story. Tickets are $17-21 and can be purchased at sgmusicaltheater.com. Hosted at the historic opera house on main street, this musical runs Thursdays-Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. through December 16.

The Forgotten Carols

This classic play put on by Dixie State University, also organized by Michael McLean, tells the story of a nurse whose life is changed by a patient who retells the story of Christ. It is suggested for children 5+, and children over the age of 2 require a ticket. This play will be available Dec. 6 – 7 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance at 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the Cox Auditorium, 350 S. 700 E. in St. George. Tickets are available at tickets.dsutix.com and range from $19.50 – $36.50.

The Nutcracker Ballet

For the 24th year, Westside Studio of Performing arts here in St. George will be putting on their annual production of the classic Nutcracker Ballet, complete with mice, soldiers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy with the talented cast and dancers of this local studio. Directed by Sheila Bailey, the performances for this run from December 15-19 at 7:30 p.m., and a matinee showing December 16 at 2 p.m. The ballet will be held at Desert Hills High School and is $15-20 to attend and can be purchased here.

2017 St. George Christmas Light Spectacular

HedgeHog Electric is hosting a new tradition in St. George and Washington County this year – an event recognizing the most festive of lights in the county, with a provided map for viewers to drive around and look at the lights of local homeowners who are dedicated to creating beautiful light scenes in their yards. You could win a $300 Visa gift card if you go on the tour and post a picture to Facebook or a social media site by using the hashtag #StGeorgeChristmasMap. The Kuhn home – a home that won $50,000 from ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight – will be available this year, with activities that go on throughout the month as well. For more info on the Christmasn Light Spectacular, including the map, click here. For HedgeHog Electric’s Facebook page, which also has details of the event, click here.

The Spirit of Christmas at DiFiore Center

An interactive holiday puppet show will be hosted this year at the DiFiore Center, at 307 N Main St, St George. This show is great for the kids and a good way to kick off the holiday season on December 16 from 7-9 p.m. For more info, visit the website here.

GENTRI’s Finding Christmas

A cinematic pop performance put on by the trio of tenors whose Christmas album made the iTunes top 10 holiday list next to other artists like Michael Buble and Pentatonix. GENTRI will be at Dixie State University on December 18 at 7:30 pm, with $30 reserved seating to enjoy this performance with holiday classics and more. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.dsutix.com.

Wreaths Across America Ceremony

To honor deceased veterans this holiday season, Wreaths Across America Ceremony is an event at the Tonaquint and Shivwits Paiute Cemeteries to honor Amerca’s veterans by placing wreaths on their gravesites on December 16 at 10 am. This event is freeto attend. To donate to this event, you can go to donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org to help this tradition continue to grow.

An Intimate Evening – A Kurt Bestor Christmas

The 30th annual A Kurt Bestor Christmas will be held at the Lorraine Boccardo Theatre at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta offer an intimate holiday gathering with a performance from Kurt Bestor – singer, songwriter, and composer. Tickets are available at kayentaarts.com for the two performances on Friday and Saturday (December 8th and 9th) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 until Nov. 27th $40 after $60 ticket includes premier seating and after party with Kurt Bestor. For more info, visit his Facebook page here.

Temple Lights and Downtown St. George Lights

One of St. George’s most welcoming sights during the holiday season is its abundance of lights in its historic district – namely the Temple, with its grounds decorated in an abundance of multicolored lights, as well as Main Street and Town Square. Once these lights turn on in the evening, take a walk through Downtown St. George to enjoy the holiday spirit the city has to offer.

Dickens Festival

The Dickens Festival is an annual craft and shopping show with food and live entertainment. Nov. 29 thru Dec. 2, 2017 (Wednesday through Saturday) at the Dixie Convention Center from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Olde English themed shops, costumes, and fortune tellers make this event fun for the kids and unique experience this holiday season. If you’re looking for unique gifts and quality merchandise from local vendors, this festival is great for you. This event is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (65+), $5 for children (4-12), and children 3 and under get in for free.

Temple Lights and Downtown St. George Lights

One of St. George’s most welcoming sights during the holiday season is its abundance of lights in its historic district – namely the Temple, with its grounds decorated in an abundance of multicolored lights, as well as Main Street and Town Square. Once these lights turn on in the evening, take a walk through Downtown St. George to enjoy the holiday spirit the city has to offer.

https://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.png00alohahttps://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.pngaloha2017-12-04 22:10:142017-12-04 22:18:01Christmas Events in St. George - 2017 Guide

Just 12 miles north of Bluff Street on SR-18, Red Mountain Trailhead is a quiet but stunning trail that overlooks Snow Canyon. This overlook has a similar feel and grandeur overlook of Angel’s Landing, without the danger of the infamous last stretch of narrow rock and chains required to traverse the last portion of Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park.

The trailhead starts just past Diamond Valley, with a grand view of the Pine Valley Mountains. A small marked sign points westward as you approach the turnoff, and the trailhead starts close to SR-18. Bathrooms and a parking lot are available at the turnoff. Once you start on the hike, a slight incline on a rocky trail continues as you travel in a southwestern direction. The further you go on the trail, the forest of juniper and pinion becomes denser. While the trail is easily distinguishable most of the time, if it’s difficult to tell what direction to go at any time, continue to take the wide, left-ward paths.

Occasional cairns (stacks of rocks, and in this case, red sandstone) will mark the direction of where to go in situations where it’s a little harder to discern. Overall, the trail is fairly even and steady, without any sections that are overly steep or require you to climb on your hands and knees. Towards the end of the trail, the trail becomes sandy, which can be difficult to walk through for the elderly, small children, or those who have a hard time walking. Once you have reached the end of the trail, you are greeted with a stunning view overlooking the dead center of Snow Canyon from the back (north) side of the state park. White and red sandstone cliffs tower over the gentle terrain at the bottom of the canyon, and in the distance, you can view parts of Ivins, Santa Clara, and St. George. To head back, take the same route back to the trailhead.

This trail is 4.8 miles roundtrip, and generally takes 1 hour and 15 minutes each way (2.5 hours round trip) at a steady pace. At a slower pace, this hike will take closer to 3 hours. Bring plenty of water, as there are no water sources along the trail. This is an easy to moderate trail that’s free, beautiful, and great for all hiking skill levels

Red Mountain Trail, Overlooking Snow Canyon

Anasazi Trail in Ivins

Another beautiful trail with little traffic is the Anasazi Valley Trail, or Tempi’po’op trail. This hike is an easy trail as well, and 3.5 miles roundtrip. For those interested in Native American history, this trail showcases plenty of petroglyphs – right in the open. This can also be an educational hike for the kids.

To get there, head west on Sunset boulevard for 7 miles. On the left, a sign will say, “Santa Clara River Reserve – Anasazi Valley Trailhead”. After a short dirt road that is less than a few hundred feet long, the trailhead will be on your left. Again, bring plenty of water on this hike, especially if it’s during the hotter months of the year.

There are two trails available to get to the top. The trail to the right is the shorter, steeper trail, although it is encouraged to take the left trail, as this one is the official trail and is easier for kids and stroller access. At the top of the trail, not only are there a striking array of petroglyphs to view, but old Anasazi Farmstead ruins are at the top of the trail as well. Not only does this hike have historical and cultural value, but it’s a beautiful hike showcasing Southern Utah’s red rock as well.

https://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.png00alohahttps://www.encehomes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/logo-header.pngaloha2017-10-23 23:23:382017-10-23 23:23:38Hidden Gem Hikes Around St. George

The 2017 St. George marathon is coming up on October 7th, and is one of the city’s busiest weekends of the year. Bringing in local and national runners alike, this marathon is the 13th largest marathon in the U.S. The St. George marathon is nationally-recognized and included in the Top 20 Marathons in the USA, […]

St. George is one of Utah’s best cities to golf due to its stunning views, warm weather, and nearly a dozen golf courses to choose from. It’s common for retirees from all over Utah, Nevada, and Arizona to choose St. George because of it’s clean air, family-friendly community, and great places to golf and spend time outdoors. Not planning on retiring? St. George is a great place for a short weekend golfing trip or making weekly trips to the golf course. Below, we’ll list out the golf courses we have in the area and what makes each of them unique, and which one might be the best fit for you.

Sand Hollow Golf Club

The crown jewel among golfing in St. George, the Sand Hollow Golf Club was named the #1 public golf course in Utah by GolfWeek. Surrounded by vibrant pink sand dunes, this perfectly manicured oasis looks as if it were placed in the middle of a painting. Framed by the majestic red rock cliffs of Sand Hollow Reservoir and a peek at Zion in the distance, this luxurious golf course offers a full bar and restaurant in the Clubhouse and offers rental clubs. This course offers Hickory Clubs for those who like wood-shaft golf clubs to play old school. Because it’s so close to the reservoir, you can rent ATVs, boats, as well as biking, hiking, and fishing gear. To get more info, visit their site here.

Entrada at Snow Canyon

For views of a diverse environment and a golf course that’s been thriving for over 20 years, Entrada has been carving its name in places to be in St. George since 1996. This serene golf course is 10 minutes outside of St. George, surrounded by ancient black lava flows that stand out drastically against the surrounding red hills and soft pink dunes. While Snow Canyon State Park brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, Entrada’s beautiful golf courses sit right outside this famous state park. This golf course flaunts top-notch playing conditions and offers a 4 star luxury hotel on the property, so you don’t have to travel far to the course if you’re coming from out of town. Entrada was rated #2 in public golf courses in Utah by GolfWeek. For more info, visit their site here.

The Ledges Golf Club

This secluded golf course was designed to be a part of the desert – to provide a luxurious golfing experience without drawing from the beauty of this famous desert landscape, planted right outside the north end of Snow Canyon State Park. It’s no surprise why this golf course hosts so many weddings throughout the year. Brides and wedding planners alike are drawn to its rugged beauty with white sandstone cliffs and fiery rock ridges that make this place as colorful as it is beautiful, while golfers are drawn to its challenging course and amenities. Private villas, a full service bar and restaurant, and vacation rentals make this a one-stop golf course, designed by Matt Dye, a member of the world famous Dye course designing family. For more info, visit their site here.

Sky Mountain Golf Course

For a true taste of the beauty the American Southwest has to offer, Sky Mountain is an alluring golf course to anyone looking for attractive rates and beautiful views. Between Zion National Park and Red Cliffs State Park, this lush course has a mesmerizing view of the red, white, and pink cliffs that tower above the landscape. Play your final holes along a lava rock plateau or watch the sun set over the course from the Sky Mountain Grill. This course also offers a full service golf shop for repairs and other needs. There’s a reason why locals have been finding themselves at this course since 1994. For more info, visit their website here.

Red Hills Golf Course

Dixie Red Hills Golf Club, though only 9 holes, is one of St. George’s most lush and secluded courses. Tucked between the vibrant red rocks of Dixie, this golf course is a hidden oasis that is often viewed as a local gem to golfers. This friendly, relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a quick golfing trip for the day or for the weekend. As the first golf course developed in St. George in the 1960’s, one of its best features in comparison to other courses is the hundreds of old trees like cottonwoods and mesquite trees scattered throughout the course that provide shade during the hot summer months. For more info, visit their website here.

Coral Canyon Golf Club

Coral Canyon has been named the #4 golf course in Utah. Coral Canyon puts you in the heart of the desert, encompassing you in the rugged beauty of sagebrush, red rock, and memorable golf holes. This golf course has been nestled in at the base of Pine Valley Mountain since 2001, providing St. George with a high end, high quality golfing experience. GolfGetaways called it “a must play in St. George.” A 7,029-yard, par-72 layout surrounded by unique colors and rock formations right outside Zion’s door makes Coral Canyon a must-see for avid golfers anywhere. For more information, visit their website here.

Green Spring Golf Course

The mother golf course that gave St. George its reputation for high end golf, Green Spring opened in 1990, drawing people from all over the area to golf lush greens amidst red rocks and grand mountains. Nearly thirty years later, Green Spring is still a popular place to golf right in St. George, just a five minute drive from downtown. Despite its closeness, Green Spring still provides a peaceful, secluded golf scene with a desert landscape, including natural wetlands and old cottonwood trees that make it stand out from other golf courses in the area. For more info, visit their website here.

Southgate Golf Club

For inexpensive rates right off of I-15, Southgate is home to a sprawling golf course that artistically incorporates the Santa Clara River winding through its course. Southgate is on the back side of the Black Hill, a towering mesa settled into the heart of St. George. This location is not only convenient, but beautiful as well, with views of Snow Canyon and red mesas in the north. This course is a par-71 layout, making it enjoyable for all levels of ability. This playable course has a relaxed environment for anyone looking for an affordable golfing experience. For more info visit their website here.

Sun River Golf Club

Part of the Sun River retirement community, the Sun River Golf Club is a player-friendly design outside of St. George that offers a quiet, serene golfing experience unlike any other. This 6,700-yard layout has a mix of short and long holes that are good practice for any skill level. After a long day of golfing, visit Hank’s Riverwalk Grill, operated by the creator of the famous Oscar’s Cafe in Springdale. These smooth greens in the Virgin River Valley provide generous fairways and an atmosphere that will keep you coming back as a regular. For more info, click here.

St. George Golf Club

As a traditional-style golf course that’s been running for over 30 years, the St. George Golf Club has a sense of simplicity to its open course, populated by many lush trees and a lake in the center. Not only is this course one of St. George’s most affordable options, it’s in a convenient location so you don’t have to drive outside of St. George to get there. This terrain has gentle, sloping greens perfect for walking. For an inexpensive golfing experience that provides a good challenge for golfers without being too straining or demanding, St. George Golf Club is a good pick for you. For more info, visit their website here.

SunBrook Golf Club

Earning itself a spot in GolfDigest’s Top 50 Municipal Courses, SunBrook offers 27 unique holes with a good view of Snow Canyon State Park and red sandstone cliffs in the distance. This widespread golf course has been running since 1990, bringing in visitors and locals alike. Comprised of The Point Nine, a short run with a desert landscape; The Woodbridge Nine, named after its fifth hole and has a beautiful view of a lake and bridge; and The Black Nine, with greens tucked between black lava rock, each of these runs are both memorable and playable. For more info, visit their website here.

Archives

Archives

Welcome to Ence Homes

Ence Homes has model homes scattered across the St. George area. Each community has something unique to offer for your new home. If it's the beautiful views of the Red Mountain or the recreation of Sand Hollow Reservoir you prefer we have a community to meet your needs. Ence Homes has been one of the top new home builders in Southern Utah for over 50 years. Please call our new homes specialist for help in finding the right community for you, 435.215.7062.

When building with Ence Homes you will get to work with the best in the business. A sales executive will help you choose the lot and home that best fits your needs. After deciding what home and homesite you want you will have a professional designer help you make your color choices to ensure that the home fits the style you want and within your budget. After that you will have a project manager ensuring that your home is built to the high standards that we hold here at Ence Homes. When you move into your new home we will be there with a 10 year limited home warranty.